(MENAFN) Ana Brnabic, Speaker of Serbia’s Parliament, has accused anti-government demonstrators in Belgrade of calling for civil war following violent clashes with police during a student-led protest on Saturday.

The unrest began after authorities rejected an ultimatum from protest organizers demanding the dissolution of parliament and snap elections. The protest took place on Vidovdan, Serbia’s national holiday commemorating the 1389 Battle of Kosovo.

Brnabic, who was Serbia’s prime minister from 2017 to 2024, posted a video from the protest’s final moments on X (formerly Twitter), where a speaker urged the crowd to “take freedom into your own hands.” She claimed this was not a patriotic message but “a chilling call to murder Serbia,” interpreting it as an open incitement to civil war.

In another post, Brnabic accused Croatia of supporting the protests as part of a broader effort to destabilize Serbia and remove President Aleksandar Vucic from power.

Protests have continued in Serbia since November 2024, when a concrete canopy collapsed at a Novi Sad train station, killing 16 people and sparking public outrage. Saturday’s rally began peacefully but turned violent in the evening when protesters threw objects at police near a downtown park where pro-government supporters had gathered.

Police responded with pepper spray and riot gear, and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic reported that six officers and two civilians were injured, with several individuals arrested.

President Vucic, speaking earlier during Vidovdan ceremonies, reiterated his belief that foreign forces are fueling the protests and urged unity and calm. “Serbia always prevails,” he said.

MENAFN30062025000045015687ID1109739694